Dennis Ray Williams

Dennis Ray Williams, U.S. Marine and Vietnam Veteran, pheasant hunter and guide, Old-Time fiddler and social studies teacher at Sequoia Continuation High School in Visalia, passed away from his battle with cancer on February 8, 2026. Dennis was born in Modesto, CA in 1944 to Harold and Alvarita Williams. They lived in the Escalon/Valley Horne area on a ranch. After his father's untimely death in 1962 Dennis joined the Marines, saw action in Vietnam and earned the sharpshooter medal. Upon his return home, he earned his teaching credential from Fresno State University. He was hired at Sequoia Continuation High School as a history teacher. Always conversant and quite a wonderful story-teller. Dennis led his students on enthralling trips through American History with textbooks, visual aids, and anecdotes, which led him to become Visalia Unified Teachers Association's 1989-1990 Teacher of the Year. Eventually his mother married Alvis "Woody" Pack, who became a solid second father to Dennis. In 1978, Dennis married the love of his life, Marianne Deabenderfer. They welcomed their son, Anthony in 1984; Anthony became his dad's pheasant hunting partner for many years. Dennis also guided bird hunts with his G-SPs: Icky, Woody, and Noble. Upon hearing his father-in-law play beautiful waltzes and energetic hoedowns in Old Time Fiddling, Dennis took fiddling lessons and won many trophies playing in over twenty years of fiddling competitions. Dennis was preceded in death by his father Harold, his mother Alvarita, and his stepfather Alvis "Woody" Pack. He leaves behind his wife Marianne, his son Anthony, daughter-in-law Carrie, his beloved grandson Sean Williams and his daughter from his first marriage, Kim and grandkids Eli and Kate. Also is nieces - the De Silva girls: Cynthia, Elizabeth and Marianne, in addition a niece Janet and nephew Robert Deabenderfer; his cherished brother-in-law Ron Deabenderfer and Rick Deabenderfer and sister-in-law Ruth Deabenderfer; and many wonderful dear friends and neighbors, along with his dog, Little Bitty Girl. In the hospital, Dennis accepted Jesus Christ into his heart as Lord and Savior. He was baptized Catholic and received Last Rites. Rosary will be held 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 AM. A Reception will be held following the memorial for close family and friends at Salser & Dillard Life Event Center. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Dennis Ray Williams

November 27, 1944 - February 8, 2026